Custom orthotic neck curve builder system

ABSTRACT

An orthotic pillow system made up of a specialized pillow with selectively-replaceable building portions. The pillow is configured to assist patients to obtain relief from symptoms by naturally replacing the curve in the cervical portion of their spines. The pillow, which is preferably made from a foam material, enables the cervical curve of the neck to be built up over time as inserts are placed in the pillow and beneath the head of a patient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Background Information. In its ideal condition the human spine is curved to allow for increased flexibility, strength and movement to a user. However, due to a variety of conditions including injury, accident, stress or strain upon the spine or upon other parts of the body, this spine can be moved out of alignment and the natural curvature of the spine flattened or reduced. When this occurs, a variety of conditions can result. These conditions can include headaches, neck pain, seizures, sleeplessness and other conditions.

The present invention is an orthotic pillow system that is configured to assist a patient to obtain relief from these symptoms by naturally replacing the curve in the cervical portion of their spine. The present invention is a specialized pillow with selectively replaceable building portions, which may be inserted within the device according to the medical necessity as designed by a chiropractor or physician and enable the cervical curve of the neck to be built up over time, as these inserts are placed beneath the head of the patient.

Over time a physician may modify the number and height of the curve so as to provide the desired quantity of curvature to the cervical portion of the spine itself. In addition to these features, the system includes a soft cover, which provides comfort to the wearer. The sides of the device may be lifted by inserting space beneath the pillow so as to elevate the sides of the pillow itself. The weight of the patient's head serves as a tracking device to keep the head in a desired position and location. This acts to alleviate pain the person feels.

The system of the present invention is made up of a pillow, having a body that defines a groove or depression between two sides. Preferably, this groove or depression is positioned at a general midpoint between the two sides. This pillow is preferably made from a foam material and is covered with a soft-top coating which increases the comfort to the user. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, this soft-top covering is a gel type of foam that is placed over a more firm type of foam that provides the support to the pillow system. The pillow also defines an opening, which allows for the placement of generally semi-cylindrically shaped inserts through the pillow and into the depression. Preferably, these inserts are dimensioned to provide the appropriate amount of curvature to the spine of a party. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, this opening is located on one side of the pillow and allows for the insertion and removal of the inserts through the sides of the device. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the system contains a variety of variously dimensioned inserts which allow for the selection of a particular insert that would provide the user with the desired amount of curvature as well as provide them with a desired level of comfort. In addition by providing a plurality of inserts having different heights and characteristics, a practitioner may vary the height of the portion used in the present invention and by so doing vary the amount of curvature that is placed into the cervical spine portion of the patient's neck.

The shape of the trough or depression and the various sizes of the cervical building inserts enable the configuration of the person's neck to be modified and improved. The device also includes side elevating supports, which can be utilized to raise the sides of the pillow so as to accommodate persons who sleep on their sides or need the device to further surround their head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a detailed side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the attached photographs, a variety of views of the present invention are shown. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. The invention is a pillow 10 made up of a body 12, which defines a depression or trough 24 between a pair of sides 20/20′. An insert 18 having a desired size is placed within the depression 24 between the sides 20/20′ and provides a neck building portion of the device. In use, a person lays their head into the lower portion of the depression with the neck building insert beneath their neck. The weight of the person's head acts as a traction device and holds the head within the designated location. The inserts move the portions of the person's spine in such a manner so as to allow the curvature of the neck and the cervical portion of the spine, to be formed into the appropriate shape.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention with the inserts removed from the pillow and placed in front of the device. A plurality of inserts 18 is shown. FIG. 4 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and also shows the additional elevational supports 22, which can be used to elevate one or more sides of the pillow of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows an insertion opening 26 wherein the inner pillow portion can be accessed. FIG. 6 shows the present invention as placed within a pillowcase covering 14.

Still other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description describing only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiment are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature.

While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

1. A spinal orthosis system comprising: a pillow having a body said body defining a depression; an insert configured for placement within said depression, said insert having a preselected shape and size.
 2. The spinal orthosis system of claim 1 wherein said insert is inserted into said depression through an opening within said pillow.
 3. The spinal orthosis system of claim 1 wherein said pillow and said inserts are made of a foam material.
 4. The spinal orthosis system of claim 1 wherein said pillow is covered with a spaced gel foam material.
 5. The spinal orthosis system of claim 1 wherein said system contains a plurality of pre-selected inserts each of said inserts dimensioned to provide a designated therapeutic result. 